This study is by Anya Mazur-Mosiewicz , Helen L. Carlson, Cailey Hartwick, Christianne Laliberte, Emily Tam, Elisabeth M. S. Sherman, Brian L. Brooks and was published in the Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology in December 2015.

Context

Symptoms of depression or suicidal thinking can be screened using the Children’s Depression Inventory during the assessment for children with neurological conditions such as general cognitive, psychiatric and neurological deficits.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to see if children with cognitive, psychiatric or neurological deficits are more prone to suicidal thinking and symptoms of depression.

Method and Participants

There were 313 neurology patients who were evaluated by completing the CDI and other assessments.

Results

There were more symptoms of depression in 10% of the children, and were linked with IQ, executive functions, attention, parent-reported internalizing behaviours, and gender. Thoughts of suicide was higher in children with epilepsy, children with intellectual disabilities and girls with attention problems.

Conclusions

Children with neurological deficits should have a psychological assessment as early as possible, particularly those with epilepsy and cognitive disabilities.